Specific competencies

1. Analyze the current state of Plant Physiology and the most relevant aspects of plant functioning.

2. Address the study of integration, regulation, and coordination systems of different metabolic and bioenergetic processes in plants, with particular attention to photosynthetic processes. Evaluate these metabolic activities and become familiar with the various internal and external factors that modulate them.

3. Develop the ability to autonomously search for information related to plant physiology and critically analyze it from various sources based on its relevance.

4. Acquire the necessary skills to handle materials and common techniques used in Plant Physiology.

Transversal competencies

1.- Autonomously develop the ability to search for information related to plant physiology and critically analyze it from different sources based on its relevance.

2.- Acquire the necessary skills to handle materials and techniques commonly used in Plant Physiology.

3- Construct hypotheses, design experiments, interpret the results obtained, make diagnoses, propose solutions, and predict plant responses through the use of models.

4.-Evaluate the impact that Plant Physiology and its applications can have on society, specifically focusing on the competency to generate ideas that enable the development of entrepreneurial projects based on applications of Plant Physiology.

Module I. Introduction

Topic 1.The field of Plant Physiology.

Topic 2. Plant Cell.

Module 2. Energy Metabolism

Topic 3. Photophysiology and Photosynthesis.

Topic 4. Plant Pigments.

Topic 5. Structure and Function of the Photosynthetic Apparatus.

Topic 6. Utilization of Light Energy in Photosynthesis.

Topic 7. Assimilation of Carbon Dioxide (C3 Cycle).

Topic 8. Photorespiration (C2 Cycle).

Topic 9. CO2 Concentrating Mechanisms in Plants.

Topic 10. Respiration Physiology.

Topic 11. Nitrogen Assimilation.

Topic 12. Sulfur Assimilation.



Module 3. Growth and Development

Topic 13. Fundamentals of Growth and Development.

Topic 14. Signal Perception and Transduction.

Topic 15. Auxins.

Topic 16. Gibberellins.

Topic 17. Cytokinins.

Topic 18. Ethylene.

Topic 19. Abscisic Acid.

Topic 20. Applications of Plant Hormones.



Module 4. Secondary Metabolism

Topic 21. Concept, Functions, and Applications of Secondary Metabolism.

Topic 22. Phenolic Compounds and Terpenoids.

Topic 23. Alkaloids and Other Secondary Metabolites.



Module 5. Environmental and Applied Aspects of Plant Physiology.

Topic 24. Plant Propagation

Topic 25. Genetic Transformation in Plants



Practical topics:

1. Separation and identification of pigments by thin-layer chromatography.

2. Isolation of chloroplasts and determination of chlorophyll concentration.

3. In vitro determination of photosynthesis: photosynthetic electron transport.

4. Determination of enzyme activities: NRase.

Different methodologies are employed in the teaching process of the subject. On one hand, lectures are given to cover the fundamental aspects of the subject's content, emphasizing the characteristics that are essential for a detailed understanding of the structure and functioning of plants in relation to the resources available for their development. Secondly, practical teaching provides students with the necessary tools to understand the functioning and development mechanisms of plants. Students conduct experiments based on the acquired theoretical knowledge, familiarizing themselves with the specific equipment and instruments of the subject, which will be useful in their professional activities. The aim is for students to become capable, in their professional lives, of designing and implementing processes related to plants. The goal is for students to acquire the necessary tools and techniques to integrate into research and development teams, as well as the agri-food, pharmaceutical, or agricultural industries, among others, upon graduation.

A third approach, implemented through seminars, enables students to acquire competencies related to literature research, stimulates their critical thinking, and encourages interaction with their peers, facilitating cooperative learning. Moreover, the presentation and defense of the subject matter in seminars provide them with additional cross-cutting skills necessary for their intellectual and professional development. Seminars also facilitate a more fluid interaction between the professor and the students.

Evaluation System: It will be carried out on a weighted basis, according to the various methodological sections

- Ongoing assessment of theoretical knowledge acquired (lectures, seminars) through objective tests and a theoretical exam (65%).

- Assessment of skills acquired during practical sessions; evaluation of the ability to interact with group members, initiative, etc. The presentation of the practical report will be evaluated. Additionally, an evaluation may be conducted through a theoretical-practical laboratory exam (20%)

.- Assessment of critical and analytical skills in oral presentations and the preparation and delivery of seminars (15%).



There is the possibility for students to renounce the continuous assessment system and chose the final evaluation, regardless of their participation in the aforementioned continuous assessment. To do so, a written renunciation of continuous assessment must be submitted within 9 weeks from the beginning of the four-month period. In any case, the evaluation criteria and renunciation will always adhere to what is stipulated in the Regulations for the Evaluation of Undergraduate Students (BOPV no. 50, March 13, 2017).

- -During the development of the evaluation tests, the use of books, notes, or any electronic, telecommunication, computer devices, or other similar devices is strictly prohibited for students. Only the use of a calculator is permitted. In the event of any case of dishonest or fraudulent behavior, the protocol on academic ethics and prevention of dishonest or fraudulent practices in assessment tests and academic work at UPV/EHU will be applied.

For students subject to both continuous assessment and final evaluation, simply not taking the final exam will result in a final grade of "not presented" for the course.

Didactic material with graphs, tables, drawings, diagrams, and illustrations related to the subject matter. Laboratory protocol. This material is prepared by the professor and made available to the students.

Basic bibliography

asic

Azcón-Bieto J & Talon M. Fundamentos de fisiología vegetal. 2008. Interamericana. MacGraw-Hill & UBe



Beyl CA. Trigiano RN. Plant propagation. Concepts and laboratory exercises. 2008. CRC Press



Buchanan BB, Gruissem W, Jones RL. Biochemistry and molecular biology of plants. American Society of Plant. 2nd. Edition Physiologists. 2015. Wiley.



Chawla HS. Introduction to plant biotecnology. ·3rd Edition. 2009. Science Publishers



Lamberts H. Chapin III FS, Pons TL. Plant Physiological Ecology. 2nd Edition. 2018. Springer.



Okpodu CM. Investigating plant physiology. Laboratory Manual. 2001. Morton Publishing Company. Colorado (USA)



Oxlade E. Plant Physiology. The structure of plants explained. 2007. In-Focus. Studymates Ltd. United Kigdom



Schulze ED, Beck E, Müller-Hohenstein K. Plant Ecology. 2002. Springer-Verlag.



Taiz L, Zeiger E, Møller IM, Murphy M. Plant physiology and development. 6th Ed. 2015. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Publishers.



Thomas B, Murohy Dj., Murray BG. Encyclopedia of applied plant sciences, 2nd Edition. 2017. Elsevier

In-depth bibliography

Atkinson JA, Rasmussen A, Traini R, Voß U, Sturrock C, Mooney SJ, Wells DM, Bennett MJ. 2014. Branching out in roots: Uncovering form, function, and regulation. Plant Physiology 166: 538–550.

Bowman JL, Eshed Y, Baum SF. 2002. Establishment of polarity in angiosperm lateral organs. Trends in Genetics 18: 134-141

Brukhin V, Morozova N. 2011. Plant Growth and Development. Basic Knowledge and Current Views. Mathemathical Modelling and Natural Phenomena 6: 1-53

Christie JM, Blackwood L, Petersen J, Sullivan S. 2015. Plant Flavoprotein Photoreceptors. Plant and Cell Physioligy 56: 401–413

Conklin PA, Strable J, Li S, Scanlon MJ. 2019. On the mechanisms of development in monocot and eudicot leaves. New Phytologist 221: 706–724

Du F, Guan C, Jiao Y. 2018. Molecular mechanisms of leaf morphogenesis. Molecular Plant 11: 1117-1134

Fukushima K, Hasebe M. 2014. Adaxial–Abaxial polarity: the developmental basis of leaf shape diversity. Genesis 52:1-18

Gonzalez N, Vanhaeren H, Inze D. Leaf size control: complex coordination of cell division and expansión. 2012. Trends in Plant Science 17: 332-340

Li FW, Mathews S. 2016. Evolutionary aspects of plant photoreceptors. Journal of Plant Research 129: 115-122

Nelissen H, Gonzalez N, Inze D. 2016. Leaf growth in dicots and monocots: so different yet so alike. Current Opinion in Plant Biology 33:72–76

Steffens B, Rasmussen A. 2016. The physiology of adventitious roots. Plant Physiology 170:603-617.

Wang B, Smith SM, Li J. 2018. Genetic regulation of shoot architecture. Annual Review of Plant Biology. 69:437-68

Journals

Annual Review of Plant Biology
Plant Cell
Current Opinion in Plant Biology
Trends in Plant Science
Plant Physiology
New Phytologist
Plant Cell and Environment
Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences
Journal of Experimental Botany
Journal of Plant Physiology
Physiologia Plantarum
Plant and Soil
Environmental and Experimental Botany
Plant Science
Planta